Follow the Size Charts

Wouldn’t life be simple if every manufacture followed the same size charts? Just think of the time you would save. Shopping for a bridal gown or bridesmaid dress would be a no brainer. All your focus would be on line, design and color.

But the fact that all size charts run similar to one another is cause for insanity. Have you ever purchased an article of clothing and just loved it? You return to where you purchased it and bought another in a different color or fabric to find out it did not fit. We all know what that means. It is a trip back to the store or visiting an alterations specialist.

To make it more confusing, manufactures with the same numbers on their measurement charts take you on another ride. Some have body measurements while others have garment measurements. Remember the numbers on each chart are the same. What is the difference? How do you know one from the other?

Garments measurements are what a garment measures when construction is finished. Body measurements are your measurements plus some. Which means the garment is larger than your measurements. It must be larger than what the tape measure reads. If not it will be skin tight with no ease for movement or breathing. The difference is any where around two inches. That is give or take. So it could be larger or smaller. You can be a size 12 on the size chart with one manufacture and a 10 or 14 in another.

Say you have a 38” bust, 29 ½” waist and 42” hip for measurements. If you want to purchase a gown like the picture, you would choose a size 12. A ½ to 1” difference in the bust and waist still works. Your hip is larger than what is shown. The style of the gown falls into an Aline. There is room to accommodate the hip as the gown flares out below the waist. Rule of thumb is to purchase by your largest measurement. By following that rule, you would purchase a 14. The dress would then need to be altered at the bust and waist.

Do not measure yourself. Take the time to have someone do this for you. It is best to be measured by someone who knows exactly where to measure. If you are an out of town bridesmaid, find someone local. Then call in your measurements. A skilled professional will save you money in the long run on alteration charges that could be avoided.

If I see measurements that seem odd, I will question them in regards to who measured. Be honest with measurements. Your gown will come in needing less finish work. If you do not like the size that needs to be ordered, cut the tag out when it arrives. Nothing screams louder than a dress that is too tight or falls off the body.

Lets go back to the above example. You measured yourself. Your bust is 38", waist 32" and hips 42". These may well be your measurements. I might question your waist measurement. I do not question because I don’t believe you, I question because it puts you up a dress size because of the 32" waist. “Where did you measure”? Then I find out it was at the top of your jeans band. My next question would be, “Are they low rise jeans”? “Well yes they are the only kind I wear”. That may explain the larger measurement. This would be your high hip measurement. Not the waist.

Bust waist and hips are the three measurements needed when ordering a gown. If you order a custom gown I assure you there will be many more measurements than three. Check out The Lady to see for yourself. When buying a pattern for a custom gown measurements will differ from ready to wear. Again, the numbers differ when it comes to sizing.

Do not be offended when asked to remove clothing for measurements. Those who measure are interested in your body shape not your size. Your shape is a guide for placing you in the proper size according to a manufactures range. It is their job to be accurate. Wear the under clothing you will be wearing with your outfit that day for the best sizing. Size charts are guides. You may be lucky if your measurements are the same as the pattern manufactures draft from. If not you may need alterations for a personal fit.

Not all size charts are equal. Being professionally measured will save you time and money in the end. A picture of the gown you are ordering is helpful if you are being measured by someone other than where you are purchasing. Those who do this everyday know what to look for. They know when to fudge the measurements for any given style. Find someone you trust in the business. Your pocket book will thank you.